The Kennedy Center’s general counsel ordered staff to remove President Donald Trump’s name from the building and update related materials by June 12, citing a federal court order that said Congress—not the board—can change the venue’s official name.
On Thursday, the Kennedy Center’s general counsel told staff they had a deadline looming: remove President Donald Trump’s name from the building and overhaul materials that carry it.
In a memo obtained by MISRYOUM, staff were instructed to comply by June 12, including immediate changes to email signatures and letterhead. Other updates—covering templates and forms, signage, brochures, and website pages—must be finished no later than Friday, June 12, 2026.
The directive is blunt in scope. To meet the court order, the memo requires staff to change documents and other materials to reflect the name as “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” or “Kennedy Center.”
The deadline lands after a federal judge blocked the Kennedy Center from temporarily closing its doors for a yearslong renovation, ruling that the center’s board violated the law by adding Trump’s name to the historic performing arts venue.
US District Judge Casey Cooper’s 94-page opinion said the law establishing the center “makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy. and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board’s unilateral say-so.” Cooper wrote that “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name. and only Congress can change it.”.
Cooper gave officials two weeks to remove any signage that includes Trump’s name and to update the website to remove all references to “Trump Kennedy Center” or the “Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
The fight over the center has been part of a broader push by Trump to put his imprint on Washington. The White House, when asked for comment on the memo, pointed to Trump’s Truth Social posts responding to last week’s court ruling.
Trump, in those posts, suggested he was moving away from the arts center after the ruling. He wrote that he had instructed the Department of Commerce to make arrangements with Congress to allow a “full and complete transfer of this Institution. ” giving Congress responsibility for “Operation. Maintenance. and Management.”.
He added that while he was being treated “unfairly,” he had “no interest in continuing” unless he was “free” to do what he wanted to do.
The question of oversight has been central since the center was founded: the executive branch has overseen the board of trustees, while Congress has handled annual appropriations for operations and maintenance.
Even as the legal dispute tightened, some branding associated with Trump remained visible around the center. The gift shop had put “Kennedy Center”-branded merchandise on sale—30% off—ahead of an expected closure. A map in the parking garage carried a “Trump Kennedy Center” label, and programs for productions were emblazoned with “Trump.”.
Not every fixture had been updated, either. Concession cups, banners in the grand foyer, and digital tickets were still shown with the original “Kennedy Center” name.
Thursday also brought a sharp reminder that this fight was not only about a building sign. In an Oval Office appearance, Trump described what he called a “promenade” meant to connect the Lincoln Memorial with the Potomac River.
“They want to call it the Trump promenade,” he told reporters. “But I don’t know if I want to do that, but it’s going to be beautiful.”
The White House did not provide additional details about the proposed project when asked, and MISRYOUM sought further information.
For now. the Kennedy Center’s staff have a clear checklist tied to a federal ruling: by June 12. the name on the building and across the center’s communications must revert to “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. ” or “Kennedy Center.” The court’s logic is just as clear—Congress set the name. and the board’s decision. Cooper wrote. did not have the authority to change it.
Kennedy Center Donald Trump name removal Casey Cooper court order Washington DC performing arts signage updates Truth Social board of trustees